I am pretty sure that Levi has some decay in 2 of his 4 front teeth. They look discolored. He had some very, very early signs of decay on his teeth at his first dental appointment right after he turned a year, and we responded by making sure we brushed a lot better. I talked to the dentist about night nursing and she seemed unconcerned.

I have been reading, and I know this has been brought up on this forum before. It does seem as though night nursing shouldn't cause tooth decay. We eat well, the kids drink water, maybe only a few ounces of juice with breakfast and Lance's teeth have always been perfect, and they get their teeth brushed 2 or 3 times a day.

It's just upsetting because I feel like we've done something wrong. I have very few cavities myself and I don't want to do him wrong.

We are looking for a dentist here since we just moved. In the meantime, what can we do?

October 1st, 2011, 09:25 PM

@llli*barnheartbabe

Re: *sigh* Tooth Decay

Discolouration isn't necessarily decay. Does he eat or drink anything that could be staining his teeth? Does he take the gummi-type kids vitamins? Our dentist has been telling me since i was pregnant with DD to avoid those like the plague as they tend to stick in the hard to clean areas and encourage decay. The dentist has also lectured me for taking chewable vit-C or drinking lemon in water as those tend to soften the tooth enamel. Also, i've been told not to brush more than twice per day as excessive brushing can be too wearing on the enamel. I've also been told not to use baking soda toothpaste as its quite wearing too.

Gotta love the dentists giving advice :rolleyes:. Hope this helps?

October 1st, 2011, 09:28 PM

@llli*Samiha

Re: *sigh* Tooth Decay

The only thing I could think of that would discolor his teeth is his floradix supplement, but I don't think that's what it is. :(

October 1st, 2011, 10:34 PM

@llli*djs.mom

Re: *sigh* Tooth Decay

They have fluoride gel that sits on their teeth after they brush. When DJ uses that he doesn't get more cavities. When he does use that he does. You get it at the dentist.

October 2nd, 2011, 12:08 AM

@llli*amy.marie

Re: *sigh* Tooth Decay

Sometimes it's just the short stick of the genetics lottery. Get him into the dentist and see what's what. much to my disappointment we've gone the fluoride route as well. This was after DD had caps put on all four of her top front teeth for "bottle rot". :rolleyes:

October 2nd, 2011, 12:51 AM

@llli*jeremijasmommy

Re: *sigh* Tooth Decay

Jeremija had early discoloration on his front teeth and we were told it was a birth defect where he was born with too little enamel - nothing to do with nursing at all. Getting them fixed was a big, expensive ordeal though. :( Alek does not have the same issue, it's just all about the individual genes. :hug :hug

October 2nd, 2011, 05:18 AM

@llli*green.momma

Re: *sigh* Tooth Decay

Does he night nurse? Are you using kids toothpaste with fluoride? Colby had same thing and it was bad bad for a while. I asked my pedi about it and he said to switch to kids toothpaste even though he does not spit it out and to brush well 2 times a day. Also, nothing after they brush at night. If Levi is nursing at night I would wipe his teeth off after in the least.

After about 3 months of switching over to kids toothpaste and being consistent with the brushing and nothing after Colby's discoloration has disappeared.

October 2nd, 2011, 10:52 AM

@llli*Samiha

Re: *sigh* Tooth Decay

I still nurse him to sleep, but we have been nightweaning because I am leaving for 6 weeks in Nov/Dec. So, pretty soon he won't be nursing to sleep either. We just started using floride toothpaste, because Lance's dentist had us start with it about at about 2 years. We need to get them into the dentist soon, the first place we called was recommend by a friend but they aren't taking new patients until Dec. I have been looking for a dentist on Angie's list.

This might sound strange, but I was thinking about looking for an Indian dentist because I feel like they won't be quick to blame nursing.

October 2nd, 2011, 11:03 AM

@llli*green.momma

Re: *sigh* Tooth Decay

You are on the right track. I think Colby's discoloration took about 2 months to disappear with the flouride toothpaste and being anal about him not eating or drinking after he brushes at night, even if it means going to do it again. I would not be super concerned yet about Levi's teeth, they will be OK. It is very rare for it to happen with BM though, right? Who cares what caused it anyways, it is just a matter of getting him back on track. :)

And BTW, my LO has been sporting a brown spot on one front tooth for months now, because she slipped and slammed her mouth on the coffee table when she was learning to walk. So have you ruled out something mechanical like that?